Grounding Poem by Jack Sedman

children scatter from the step
let loose to fill the day
with colour, laughter; each tap
on the shoulder leads this
way and that, within peeling
gates, scrap of green upon
concrete floors rooted, lying
in cracks of dreams and pain.
not long now; still time to play.

the wind will always whip round
tall hopes, old beams now weak:
there is joy in the sound of
innocent love, romance in leaking
roofs and drains: believe the
neglect we view, split at the seams
they now rise, infecting
desire as our back-breaking dream
ends the play quick; brings nothing.